Pitt men’s basketball season preview

Pitt Men’s Basketball Season Preview

Staff writer Austin Lenhardt-Barley previews the upcoming season for the Pitt men’s basketball team, which features many new players. The Panthers begin their eighth season under head coach Jeff Capel.

Capel first led Pitt to March Madness three seasons ago. He started his tenure with a 51-59 record in his first four years as head coach, but recent changes to the transfer portal have helped him improve the team's performance.

Impact of Transfer Portal Changes

Before the 2022-2023 season, the NCAA allowed athletes to transfer once without sitting out a full season. Since then, Pitt has added key players from the transfer portal, including Blake Hinson, Nelly Cummings, and Greg Elliott.

All three transfers averaged over 10 points per game during the 2022-2023 season.
This influx transformed Pitt’s basketball program, turning an 11-21 record into an NCAA Tournament appearance.

Pitt going from an 11-21 record to the NCAA Tournament is special and not talked about enough — it happened because of how well Capel works with the transfer portal.

Coach Capel's Continued Success

Capel has posted three straight winning seasons since the transfer rule change, compiling a 63-38 record over that span. His ability to leverage transfers has been crucial in building competitive teams.

Key Player: Senior Forward Corhen

Returning for his final year and second season at Pitt, senior forward Corhen averaged 11 points and 5 rebounds in the 2024-25 season. He was a reliable scorer and one of the team's strongest defensive players, expected to lead the Panthers in his last season.

Corhen is one of the stronger defensive players for the Panthers and will be a leader during his last season.

Summary: Coach Capel’s smart use of transfer rules has revived Pitt basketball, turning the team into an NCAA contender led by key players like senior forward Corhen.

The Pitt News — 2025-11-05